(CNN) – One of Hollywood's most recognizable voices has been put to use narrating a spot marking Election Day achievements for proponents of same-sex marriage.

Morgan Freeman narrates the spot for the Human Rights Campaign, which asserts the ballot box victories in Maryland, Maine, Minnesota and Washington State have provided a nationwide "mandate for full equality."FULL POST

(CNN) – A leading Republican senator said Sunday he's willing to break the no-tax pledge promoted by activist Grover Norquist if Democrats are willing to help pass spending reforms on government programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Sen. Lindsey Graham said he believes capping tax deductions should be part of a plan to reduce the federal debt - a revenue-raising tactic that pushes against Norquist's Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which stipulates lawmakers who sign the document will "oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates."FULL POST

(CNN) - Sen. John McCain, who has led the effort to discredit Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Sunday he was willing to listen to Rice's testimony if she's nominated to become the next secretary of state.

McCain has criticized Rice for her statements immediately following the September attacks at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, which Rice initially described as stemming from protests against an anti-Islam video. Later her remarks came under scrutiny as further information suggested the attack was a premeditated assault.FULL POST

(CNN) – Lawmakers from both the House and Senate said Sunday all options must be considered during fiscal cliff negotiations, as both parties work to try to avoid an economic crisis.

One of the biggest holdups so far during negotiations has been whether or not Republicans will accept tax increases, something President Barack Obama and Democratic Party leaders have been pushing for. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan, said it's a position the GOP needs to give up.FULL POST

(CNN) – When the new session of Congress begins in January, most of the faces on Capitol Hill will be the same – incumbents in both the House and the Senate overwhelmingly won re-election in November.

Yet before ballots were cast, thirty-five members of Congress had already said they wouldn’t be returning to Washington in 2013. The number of retiring lawmakers was the highest since 1996, and the list included some formidable – and famous – members of the legislative branch. All will be watching from the sidelines as their former colleagues attempt to find solutions to both major legislative problems, and Congress’ own dismal approval ratings.FULL POST